Genetic Variation in Interleukin 28 Receptor, Alpha (IL28RA) and Its Association with the Outcomes of HCV Infection in Egyptian Population

Background: Egypt has the highest prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of IL28RA gene rs 11249006 in adults were shown to be associated with HCV clearance in previous studies.Aim of the Study: To detect the role of SNP in IL28RA rs1 1249006 on the response to pegylated interferon-α2a (PEG-IFN-α2a) plus ribavirin therapy in HCV Egyptian patients. This study also analyzed the role of factors other than genotype (host and viral factors) that asses the therapeutic efficiency of treatment.Patients and Methods: Fourty patients with chronic HCV treated by PEG-IFN-α2a plus ribavirin therapy and ten healthy controls were tested for SNP in IL28RA rs11249006 by Real-Time PCR. Patients were divided according to their response into 2 groups; group I = Responder patients and group II = Non-responder patients.Results: This study showing that there is no significant difference observed in distribution of IL28RA rs11249006 polymorphism for genotypes or alleles between responders, non-responders and/or control samples in HCV Egyptian patients.Conclusion: This study indicates absence of relationship between SNP of IL28RA rs11249006 and clearance of HCV infection but other factors as AFP, RBG and ALP could be considered as predictors for response to HCV therapy.